At the NHRA SpringNationals, Shawn Langdon glad to be back on track.
Veteran driver excels in first ride with Kalitta Motorsports
In the first four races of the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, Shawn Langdon was on the outside looking in. The 2013 Top Fuel world champion didn’t have a ride for the 2017 season.
For the first two races at Pomona and Phoenix, Langdon was on site but not in a car. At Gainesville and Las Vegas, he competed in the Sportsman class. Then he got the muchawaited call from Kalitta Motorsports. Finally, one of the most respected NHRA drivers had a fulltime ride and his crew chief is legendary Connie Kalitta.
And on Friday at the SpringNationals in Baytown, Langdon was piloting the Global Electronic Technology Toyota dragster. He sat out the first four events after his sponsorship at Don Schumacher Racing fell through in December.
“Being inside the race car, those first couple of runs back, makes you really appreciate how much power these cars have,” Langdon said. “It’s a kick in the butt and it’s hauling butt and you are just holding on.”
Millican smokes field
In his first pass with his new team, Langdon was the No. 4 qualifier after the first qualifying session. He and the Toyota dragster covered the distance at 3.825 seconds with a top speed of 314.53 mph.
“It was just icing on the cake to make that run, being first pair out,” said Langdon, who won three races last year with Schumacher Racing. “We couldn’t ask for anything better today. It was a great start.
“It felt awesome. I haven’t sat in a car in six months. To come back out, with all the hard work that everybody put into this team. It was hard emotionally to take in (sitting out).”
Racing into the night, the final qualifying session had Langdon finishing in the eighth spot with two qualifying sessions remaining on Saturday. Eliminations are on Sunday. Langdon failed to improve on his initial run.
The No. 1 qualifier at the moment in Top Fuel is Clay Millican, who had the track’s quickest-ever run at 3.722 seconds at a top speed of 325.69 mph, driving the Parts Plus/Great Clips dragster. Antron Brown had the second-quickest run ever on the track at 3.723 and is at the second qualifying spot.
“I am just wound up,” said Millican, who is still seeking his first NHRA event win. “Nighttime runs are what makes me love drag racing to begin with. Watching Top Fuel cars go at night is just awesome.
“I got to do my favorite thing, and that is stomp on the pedal. And for that thing to go so quick, right down the race track, I’m happy.”
Force sets record
Courtney Force, who won here last year, set a track Funny Car record in taking over the top qualifying spot with a second-session run of 3.851 seconds at a top speed of 330.23 mph.
“To get the track record on both ends is amazing,” Force said. “It feels good right now, and we’ll see if it stays tomorrow.
“It was a great run for us. We had prime conditions for Q2. For our Advance Auto Parts team to sky rocket to the top spot, to take that track record felt pretty good.”
Jeg Coughlin is the top qualifier in Pro Stock with an elapsed time of 6.557 at 210.70 mph.
As for Langdon, he feels good about his new team and Friday’s first qualifying attempt. It was a nice clean run even though the dragster was spinning a little going down the track.
“The good thing is we made an awesome run and we have room for improvement,” Langdon said. “I’m enjoying the moment and enjoy being back out here. I’m glad I’m in a hot rod that has a chance to win on Sunday.
“We will show them what we’ve got.”
Prior to Friday’s first qualifying session, the only time Langdon had been in his new dragster was when he was being fitted for his seat. And about an hour before Friday’s session, he warmed the car up for the first time.
“It was hard for me to just be out there watching (the first four races),” said Langdon, who has 14 career wins and has won at least one race in each of the past five seasons.